I completely agree with his suggestions on how to say the same thing without hurting someone's feelings. This will ALWAYS be to your benefit to word your thoughts this way.
I would go even broader. I would say 'We love the course and really enjoying it and we were just talking about it today actually. One idea we came up with is to do more general english as we think it will complement the business english well. What do you think? Is this something we can do?'
In Germany people are much more direct, than in most English speaking countries. I have to adapt my behaviour every time i deal with people from UK, US, Irish, etc. I sometimes appreciate the very direct communication, but often also people expect you to tell them directly.
schmirgo Yes, it's true. Very direct communication works really well in Germany, but people in Ireland, the U.K and the U.S are not so used to it. Thanks for watching the video and commenting.
Thanks Neil, I am going to try and apply some of these tips. I lead a team of English teachers, I know that I can be quite frank or blunt, I also know I have a short fuse, especially when dealing with repetitive errors with regard to student registers or grading student papers...... the red mist does appear, even more so when I have previously explained the procedure we use. Deep breaths....
In engineering industry brutal truth (particularly with internal communication) is more appreciated. Your tip might be usable for external communication, but even so, the customer in many cases doesn't interpret 100% correctly if we soften the words, and sometimes people think it's sugar coating. But perhaps this tips might be really usable for initial interaction whereas we are not really familiar yet with the guy, but once we know the guy then direct communication forms trust
That's a really great point, Willy Wahyudi. I agree with you. For initial interaction a more polite and indirect way of communication is wise. Once trust builds and you have a closer relationship with the person, it is easier to be more direct. I think it also depends on the context. The Germans understand that direct communication (or the brutal truth) is much faster and often clearer. However, there is always a risk that you will offend your business partner, especially if they come from a culture used to using an indirect/ diplomatic way of communicating. It's also possible to be direct and polite. Maybe that could be a subject for another business English video tip. Thanks for commenting and I hope you enjoy the videos.
I am American and I wish people were more direct here. In my opinion people are passive aggressive and underhanded in dealing with their problems because we don't know how to problem solve. Unless you take a course in effective communication or your parents taught you as a child, you pretty much resort to passive aggressiveness because that is the common role model. Most schools do not teach problem solving and effective communication so we have a lot if bullying and victimization going on. Also people are so easily offended, I don't know if that is something only happening here in the states or if it is a side effect of social media and happening around the world.
Thanks a lot for your thoughts on this. And I'm sorry for the long delay in responding to you. I agree, Anglo Saxon cultures are probably more prone to being passive aggressive as a way of communicating, or maybe it's just being indirect. I personally learned to be more assertive and more direct in my communication through my work and also through working on myself. But I have a long way to go. As for the bullying and victimisation issue, I'm not sure how they relate to this issue.
The small issue with this video is that it's not very interesting. I THINK perhaps some music will make it more exciting? Could we try some nice music next time? (You do realise that I am practicing diplomacy I learnt from the video) :)
Yes, maybe it is. But some cultures need more sugar coating than others. :-) Thanks for commenting though. Hope you liked the video. Sorry for the late comment.
I completely agree with his suggestions on how to say the same thing without hurting someone's feelings. This will ALWAYS be to your benefit to word your thoughts this way.
I would go even broader. I would say 'We love the course and really enjoying it and we were just talking about it today actually. One idea we came up with is to do more general english as we think it will complement the business english well. What do you think? Is this something we can do?'
In Germany people are much more direct, than in most English speaking countries. I have to adapt my behaviour every time i deal with people from UK, US, Irish, etc. I sometimes appreciate the very direct communication, but often also people expect you to tell them directly.
schmirgo Yes, it's true. Very direct communication works really well in Germany, but people in Ireland, the U.K and the U.S are not so used to it. Thanks for watching the video and commenting.
Tell me about it.
Direct communication all the way.
Personally, i preferred to be more diplomatic in my everyday lifestyle. This is a great video explains both direct verse diplomatic approach.
Thanks a lot, Angela. Glad you like it.
Thanks Neil, I am going to try and apply some of these tips. I lead a team of English teachers, I know that I can be quite frank or blunt, I also know I have a short fuse, especially when dealing with repetitive errors with regard to student registers or grading student papers...... the red mist does appear, even more so when I have previously explained the procedure we use. Deep breaths....
These are some great basic tips!
Thanks a lot, IAmMsHoneyBee. Glad you like the tips.
Awesome Tips.. :) being a fresher ...these helped me in my new corporate life :)
Bhargav Maddi Glad the video helped you. Thanks for watching and commenting.
In engineering industry brutal truth (particularly with internal communication) is more appreciated. Your tip might be usable for external communication, but even so, the customer in many cases doesn't interpret 100% correctly if we soften the words, and sometimes people think it's sugar coating.
But perhaps this tips might be really usable for initial interaction whereas we are not really familiar yet with the guy, but once we know the guy then direct communication forms trust
That's a really great point, Willy Wahyudi. I agree with you. For initial interaction a more polite and indirect way of communication is wise. Once trust builds and you have a closer relationship with the person, it is easier to be more direct. I think it also depends on the context. The Germans understand that direct communication (or the brutal truth) is much faster and often clearer. However, there is always a risk that you will offend your business partner, especially if they come from a culture used to using an indirect/ diplomatic way of communicating. It's also possible to be direct and polite. Maybe that could be a subject for another business English video tip. Thanks for commenting and I hope you enjoy the videos.
I am American and I wish people were more direct here. In my opinion people are passive aggressive and underhanded in dealing with their problems because we don't know how to problem solve. Unless you take a course in effective communication or your parents taught you as a child, you pretty much resort to passive aggressiveness because that is the common role model. Most schools do not teach problem solving and effective communication so we have a lot if bullying and victimization going on. Also people are so easily offended, I don't know if that is something only happening here in the states or if it is a side effect of social media and happening around the world.
Thanks a lot for your thoughts on this. And I'm sorry for the long delay in responding to you. I agree, Anglo Saxon cultures are probably more prone to being passive aggressive as a way of communicating, or maybe it's just being indirect. I personally learned to be more assertive and more direct in my communication through my work and also through working on myself. But I have a long way to go. As for the bullying and victimisation issue, I'm not sure how they relate to this issue.
that was an amazing video! good finishing sir!
Thanks a lot. Really glad you enjoyed it. I hope you like some of the other videos as well. Apologies for the late comment.
I want to learn more about diplomacy
The small issue with this video is that it's not very interesting. I THINK perhaps some music will make it more exciting? Could we try some nice music next time?
(You do realise that I am practicing diplomacy I learnt from the video) :)
jeahere Sorry you didn't find the video interesting. I will consider putting music on some of the next videos. Are you learning English yourself?
Neil Collins hey I enjoyed the video . I was practicing diplomacy from the video...
But it's just beating around the bush. This is sugar coating the real issue for people.
Yes, maybe it is. But some cultures need more sugar coating than others. :-) Thanks for commenting though. Hope you liked the video. Sorry for the late comment.
diplomatic means, opening remarks..!..
+john cent Hey, John. Thanks for the comment. I'm just not sure what you're referring to, when you say "opening remarks".
I dont think its sensitivity.
I think it is because they are just not bold and confident more wuss and fake lol. sorry!